Week 19 Potty Time

Gia decided she would like to start using a potty. I had been hoping to delay potty training until she was 3, at least, but she's adamant that NOW is the time, and according to the books....well, you know---the books are always against the parent. In any case, we spend a large part of our day in the bathroom now. Sometimes there's success and sometimes it's a ghost pee or poop. She's doing numero uno and dos. She loves her DORA pull-ups. I secretly despise them because I know they're a huge landfill issue, but I'm too weak to use real underwear. At least not now in the nascent stages of potty training (potty "learning" according to the book). So anyway, all playdates now take place at our house, a mere 10 feet from the bathroom. Talk about cabin fever. There is nothing worse than potting training in the winter, rrrrr.

Week 18 Macy's Holiday Event

This weekend we hooked up with the Stoebner family and visited Macy's annual holiday event. We actually got up early on a Sunday morning to beat the crowd, and while I hate getting up early, it was worth it. We saw lots of stuff, including Santa, again. Santa wasn't nearly as scary as last time, but Gia still wasn't going to touch him. I feel sorry for Santa---all those crying kids, one after another. What a thankless job.

On the other hand, Gia ran into several unexpected cookies at the event and ate every last one of them with her typical gusto. Pasta, pizza, and cookies--the world doesn't get much better than that from her perspective.

I've included a variety of photos. A few from the Macy's event, and one when she was with us less than a month. You'll see she's grown quite a bit. Her face is thinning out, and she's becoming a young girl. It's a happy, sad, and humbling feeling all at the same time.

One final note---Gia and I were the only ones to attend her swimming lesson today! I know it was because the temperature was -3 F, but seriously, I'm getting over the flu and yet we still made it. Total wimps. I bet those other moms never spent their summers teaching canoeing and riflery in the Boundary Waters. Hump! (I say this while Rob's outside shoveling, at 10:30 pm, after a 2-hour commute home in the snow.)

P.S. Does anyone else hate the formatting in blogspot as much as I? (Rrrrrrr)

Week 17&18 Toddleritis

This week was particularily trying and I don't know why. It was full of tantrums, no naps, skipped meals, and clinginess. All my favorite. By Friday I was convinced that I had a sick child on my hands so I took her to the doctor. After a thorough physical examination, which included a blood draw and strep test, he relayed the diagnosis, "Toddleritis...she's about to turn 2." Ah, so it is.

We hobbled onto the weekend where I tried to introduce her to Santa, or "Tanta." Santa was fine from a distance, but up close....not so much. My screaming, twisting, purple face-child was pertrified and it showed in the photo. Not sure that I'll post that photo..... Toddleritis.

On a more positive note, she did eat slices of an apple, and that's good enough to make any dietitian's day complete. Other firsts....hamburger patty, squash, and canned peas (yuk). I did figure out later though it wasn't the peas she liked, but the salty brine they came in. She hasn't eaten a fresh or frozen pea since. Toddleritis.

This week, on the other hand, has been great! She was full of life in swimming class and actually kicked. Normally she just cruises on her floatie or in my hands, but when I yelled "KICK!", she kicked like her life depended upon it. Maybe it was the small toy I threw out in front of her. Hmm, could be.

Her playdates have been great also. She and her friend Tommy yukked it up over a pile of Tupperware. I have pre-approved Thomas as a potential husband. He comes from a good family and from extremely intelligent parents. Tommy loves Gia. He kisses her and hugs often. She's not entirely accepting of his affections but by the time she's 20 she should be convinced. Her other pre-approved husband is a little boy named Senbetu. Senbetu is a toddler who was adopted by another family on our Ethiopian trip. He now resides in Rochester where his mother works at the Mayo Clinic. Clearly he's headed down a path of brilliance as well. We are taking applications for future husbands, but be warned, the criteria are stringent and there are several hurdles along the way.

Today Gia had a blast with her cousin Addison. Aunt Renee found them some sun glasses and they laughed their heads off staring at each other. I wish I could have caught it on tape. It was priceless.

I only have 3 weeks left until my maternity leave is over. I'm really glad I had the 5 months to bond with Gia. I am so worried about going back to work, even though I know Gia is in good hands at Kinderberry Hill. She has been attending daycare three times a week for two hours to help her transition in January and her teachers are great---Norena and Sam. But I'm going to miss her. She's so sweet! And by the way, her little personality is starting to pop out. She LOVES babies. She tries to help the younger children in swimming class get out of the pool, and she pets any baby she sees or tries to hold their hands if they are crying. Needless to say, she is always carrying her baby around the house, along with a wad of Pampers in case they should need a fresh diaper. She is so sweet, we are so lucky. Enjoy the photos!

Week 16 Family Picture

I had no idea how hard it was to get family photos when you have a young child. Here's one we finally managed to squeeze out. We are at Buca's, waiting for our meal to arrive, and struggling to keep her entertained. The glasses, pictured in the forefront, get removed immediately after the photo, but the Parmesan cheese---a goner. She and her cousin Addison empty two cheese shakers in 20 minutes on the table top, and I'm left debating whether or not the label on my sweater which says "dry clean only" is for real.

Week 16 Motorhead

Yes this is my daughter in a Porsche. She is being schooled by her Uncle Jeff and cousins on the intricacies of cars and now hangs out on the weekends in their Garagemahal. I believe she will be the most sought after girl in high school with her good looks and superb car knowledge. She might even be the star of her own show someday, "Gia, the Car Whisperer".

Week 16 Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving weekend was great fun with my Mom's side of the family (about 25 people, a three day event). Gia does not currently eat fruits and vegetables that aren't pureed, and I am only willing to puree one item a day--her morning smoothie (which by the way, contains a full banana, two oranges or strawberries, and 4 oz. of yogurt--a hefty serving of fruit for a toddler!). With that said, I am trying to familiarize her with fruits and vegetables by trying to serve at least one or two F&V at each meal. With Thanksgiving, apples have been in abundance in our household (yes, I make the pies for the Thanksgiving extravaganza). In any case, Gia was fascinated by the fruit, even took a bite of it, but spit it out. We caught it on camera. It's almost a week later and she's still doing the chew and spit technique. I'm hoping she'll get used to the texture soon as we are running out of apples!